Analysis of the 2023 line of Head padel rackets. Strengths and weaknesses of the rackets as determined by expert review play tests.
Head began in 1947 when aeronautics engineer, Howard Head, went skiing for the first time on wooden skis. With his experience in materials used for aircraft, he knew that a better ski could be made with metals.
However, Head rackets should come with a few disclaimers, we’ll get into those below. This article will review Head’s unique history, technology, and approach to padel racket design. We will go over Head rackets’ strengths and weaknesses as perceived by the professional and recreational padel playing community.
Head padel racket quick facts
Head rackets are usually updated on a 2-year cadence rather than the every-year cadence that we see with many other brands.
Most of Head’s models are diamond or teardrop-shaped and thus have pretty high balances, often at 27 centimeters. Note: Head refers to its Gravity Series as round rackets, however, with balances at 27 centimeters and high “shoulders,” other brands may refer to these rackets as teardrops or even diamonds.
Taxonomy
Head rackets are named with the following schema:
[Series] + [Model]
Head series names and target level
- Extreme: professional-level rackets- Speed: advanced-level- Gravity: intermediate-level- Zephyr: lightweight beginner rackets
Head model names and play summary
- Pro X: this model is only present in the recently-released Speed series. It is the hardest racket offered, with a dense core and a full carbon fiber surface.- Pro: heavy, hard models that are for stronger, more advanced players that the rest of the series. Surfaces made of carbon fiber or carbon fiber and fiberglass.- Elite: comfort-focused rackets with fiberglass surface rackets for medium-soft touches and large sweet spots.- Motion: this model prioritizes maneuverability. It weighs 10-15 grams less than the other versions of the same series.- Ultralight, usually written “UL”: this model is only present on the Zephyr series. It is like the Motion model in other series - it weighs 5 grams less than the already lightweight Head Zephyr.
We’ve organized our racket review summary cards below by Head’s series.
The Extreme Series
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Extreme Pro
Strong, advanced power players
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Extreme Elite
Intermediate players seeking comfort and maneuverability
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Extreme Motion
Upper intermediate power players
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Extreme One
Lightweight power players
Head’s Extreme series makes up its premium models for professional players. These models are used by professional players, like Arturo Coello and Paula Josemaría.
This line has Head’s great 3D roughness, “Extreme Spin.”
The Extreme Pro and the Extreme Motion are made with hard carbon fiber surfaces, and the Extreme Elite is made with fiberglass for a softer touch.
These are some of the most popular rackets in the game. Go for the Extreme Pro if you’re a strong player seeking power, the Extreme Motion if you’re seeking maneuverability and control, and the Extreme Elite if you’re seeking comfort and help in defense.
The Speed Series
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Speed Pro X
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Speed Pro
Intermediate players seeking a playable teardrop
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Speed Elite
Intermediate players looking for a versatile medium balance racket
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Speed Motion
Players seeking a lightweight, agile racket that will help them in the defense
Head introduced the Speed series in 2023 as a replacement for the Alpha line. This may be an important branding move to distance themselves from the fact that Daniel “Sanyo” Gutiérrez after over five years with the Head Alpha Pro, now plays with a Siux racket.
Today, Ariana Sánchez Fallada plays with the maneuverability-oriented Speed Motion.
This series includes the very hard and heavy Speed Pro X, which is the most technical model of the series. This racket exhibits similar characteristics to the Delta Pro.
The Speed series rackets have smooth, matte surfaces.
The Speed rackets also come with a silicon insert in the base of the handle designed to reduce vibrations.
The Gravity Series
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Gravity Pro
Intermediate players seeking a high balance medium touch teardrop
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Gravity Elite
Beginner or intermediate players seeking a comfortable teardrop
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Gravity Motion
Beginners or early intermediate players who want the extra power of a teardrop
Head refers to its Gravity series rackets as “round”, but they have high balances and high shoulders for round rackets.
The Swedish star, Daniel Windahl, plays with the Gravity Pro and Marina Guinart plays with the Gravity Motion.
The round-ish shape of this series gives the rackets lower, wider sweet spots that are easier to use for versatile and control-oriented players.
The Zephyr Series
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Zephyr Pro
Beginner or intermediate players seeking a comfortable racket with a big sweet spot
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Zephyr
Beginners and juniors seeking a lightweight racket
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Zephyr UL
Beginners seeking a lightweight racket or juniors
The Zephyr Series is a maneuverability-focused line with 1 standard-weighted racket at roughly 365 grams, the Zephyr Pro, and 2 lightweight rackets, the Zephyr at 345 grams and the Zephyr UL at 340 grams.
We recommend these rackets for someone looking for a lightweight racket or for juniors. These are highly maneuverable.
Many players with joint issues choose lightweight rackets but note that these rackets will vibrate more upon impact with the ball.
The technology of Head’s padel rackets
Head undoubtedly produces some of the highest quality rackets in the industry. Suggested prices range from roughly €200-€400, while you can find last year’s top models at a steep discount.
Auxetic technology
“Auxetic” describes materials with negative Poisson’s Ratios, that is material that expands perpendicular to the direction of compression. Head uses auxetic material at the top of the bridge to “give a solid impact feel.”
This is usually done by constructing the material in a pattern with a pattern of vacancies. We’re not sure how much this technology is marketing and how much it is truly effective, but the Extreme series rackets do have a comfortable feel for their hardness.
Soft Butt Cap
The new Speed Series has a silicone “butt cap” on the end of the racket handle to reduce vibrations.
Aesthetics
Opposed to many padel racket brands, Head has taken a simpler design approach to their padel rackets. Many models have a simple and classic design, which we appreciate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most powerful Head rackets?
Head’s Extreme Pro and Speed Pro X are Head’s most powerful rackets. These rackets are hard and heavy, and they also have high balances for a great leverage effect to add power to your smashes. The Delta Pro has a 3D roughness while the Speed Pro X has a smooth surface.
Does Head make round rackets?
Most of Head’s rackets are diamonds and teardrops, but Head makes the Gravity series, which is marketed as having a round shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most powerful Head rackets?
Head’s Extreme Pro and Speed Pro X are Head’s most powerful rackets. These rackets are hard and heavy, and they also have high balances for a great leverage effect to add power to your smashes. The Delta Pro has a 3D roughness while the Speed Pro X has a smooth surface.
Does Head make round rackets?
Most of Head’s rackets are diamonds and teardrops, but Head makes the Gravity series, which is marketed as having a round shape.